Multi-tap having selectable conditioning modules

Abstract

A tap includes an input configured to be connected to a line. The tap also includes a first signal conditioning circuit having a first signal conditioning effect on downstream signals, upstream signals, or both. The tap also includes a second signal conditioning circuit having a second signal conditioning effect on the downstream signals, the upstream signals, or both. The second signal condition effect is different than the first signal conditioning effect. The tap also includes one or more subscriber ports configured to be connected to a subscriber premises. The tap also includes a path-selection device connected to the input, the first signal conditioning circuit, and the second signal conditioning circuit. The path-selection device is configured to selectably route the downstream signals from the input, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits, to the one or more subscriber ports.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tap for a cable-television (CATV) network, comprising:
 an input configured to be connected to a distribution line; 
 an output configured to be connected to the distribution line or terminated; 
 a through-line connected to and extending between the input and the output; 
 a first signal conditioning circuit having a first signal conditioning effect on downstream signals, upstream signals, or both; 
 a second signal conditioning circuit having a second signal conditioning effect on the downstream signals, the upstream signals, or both, wherein the first and second signal conditioning effects provide different equalization values; 
 one or more subscriber ports configured to be connected to a subscriber premises; 
 a path-selection device connected to the through-line, the first signal conditioning circuit, and the second signal conditioning circuit, wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the downstream signals from the through-line to the one or more subscriber ports through the first signal conditioning circuit, through the second signal conditioning circuit, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits, or bypassing the first and second signal conditioning circuits, and wherein the path-selection device is further configured to selectively route the upstream signals from the one or more subscriber ports to the through-line through the first signal conditioning circuit, through the second signal conditioning circuit, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits, or bypassing the first and second signal conditioning circuits; 
 wherein the tap does not prevent the downstream signals from reaching the one or more subscriber ports; and 
 wherein the tap does not prevent the upstream signals from reaching the through-line. 
 
     
     
       2. The tap of  claim 1 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to route the downstream signals through a first path through the tap, and to route the upstream signals through a second path through the tap, wherein the first and second paths are different. 
     
     
       3. The tap of  claim 1 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to actuate at least between a first state and a second state, wherein the path-selection device in the first state is configured to route the downstream signals through the first signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the second signal conditioning circuit, and wherein the path-selection device in the second state is configured to route the downstream signals through the second signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the first signal conditioning circuit. 
     
     
       4. The tap of  claim 1 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to actuate at least between a first state and a second state, wherein the path-selection device in the first state is configured to route the upstream signals through the first signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the second signal conditioning circuit, and wherein the path-selection device in the second state is configured to route the upstream signals through the second signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the first signal conditioning circuit. 
     
     
       5. The tap of  claim 1 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the downstream signals from the through-line, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits in series or in parallel, to the one or more subscriber ports. 
     
     
       6. A tap for a cable-television (CATV) network, comprising:
 an input configured to be connected to a distribution line; 
 a first signal conditioning circuit configured to provide a first equalization value; 
 a second signal conditioning circuit configured to provide a second equalization value that is different than the first equalization value; 
 one or more subscriber ports configured to be connected to a subscriber premises; and 
 a path-selection device connected to the input, the first signal conditioning circuit, and the second signal conditioning circuit, wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route downstream signals from the input to the one or more subscriber ports through the first signal conditioning circuit, through the second signal conditioning circuit, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits, or bypassing the first and second signal conditioning circuits, and wherein the path-selection device is further configured to selectively route upstream signals from the one or more subscriber ports to the input through the first signal conditioning circuit, through the second signal conditioning circuit, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits, or bypassing the first and second signal conditioning circuits. 
 
     
     
       7. The tap of  claim 6 , wherein the tap does not prevent the downstream signals from reaching the one or more subscriber ports, and wherein the tap does not prevent the upstream signals from reaching the input. 
     
     
       8. The tap of  claim 6 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to actuate at least between a first state and a second state, wherein the path-selection device in the first state is configured to route the downstream signals through the first signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the second signal conditioning circuit, and wherein the path-selection device in the second state is configured to route the downstream signals through the second signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the first signal conditioning circuit. 
     
     
       9. The tap of  claim 6 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to actuate at least between a first state and a second state, wherein the path-selection device in the first state is configured to route the upstream signals through the first signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the second signal conditioning circuit, and wherein the path-selection device in the second state is configured to route the upstream signals through the second signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the first signal conditioning circuit. 
     
     
       10. The tap of  claim 6 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the downstream signals from the input, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits in series or in parallel, to the one or more subscriber ports. 
     
     
       11. A tap, comprising:
 an input configured to be connected to a line; 
 a first signal conditioning circuit having a first signal conditioning effect on downstream signals, upstream signals, or both; 
 a second signal conditioning circuit having a second signal conditioning effect on the downstream signals, the upstream signals, or both, wherein the second signal condition effect is different than the first signal conditioning effect; 
 one or more subscriber ports configured to be connected to a subscriber premises; and 
 a path-selection device connected to the input, the first signal conditioning circuit, and the second signal conditioning circuit, wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the downstream signals from the input, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits, to the one or more subscriber ports. 
 
     
     
       12. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is further configured to selectively route the upstream signals from the one or more subscriber ports, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits, to the input. 
     
     
       13. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the tap does not prevent the downstream signals from reaching the one or more subscriber ports, and wherein the tap does not prevent the upstream signals from reaching the input. 
     
     
       14. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to route the downstream signals through a first path through the tap, and to route the upstream signals through a second path through the tap, wherein the first and second paths are different. 
     
     
       15. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to actuate at least between a first state and a second state, wherein the path-selection device in the first state is configured to route the downstream signals through the first signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the second signal conditioning circuit, and wherein the path-selection device in the second state is configured to route the downstream signals through the second signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the first signal conditioning circuit. 
     
     
       16. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to actuate at least between a first state and a second state, wherein the path-selection device in the first state is configured to route the upstream signals through the first signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the second signal conditioning circuit, and wherein the path-selection device in the second state is configured to route the upstream signals through the second signal conditioning circuit and subsequently through the first signal conditioning circuit. 
     
     
       17. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the downstream signals from the input, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits in series, to the one or more subscriber ports. 
     
     
       18. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the downstream signals from the input, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits in parallel, to the one or more subscriber ports. 
     
     
       19. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the upstream signals from the input, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits in series, to the one or more subscriber ports. 
     
     
       20. The tap of  claim 11 , wherein the path-selection device is configured to selectively route the upstream signals from the input, through the first and second signal conditioning circuits in parallel, to the one or more subscriber ports.